Punyam Aham: Treatise on Man's Escapism

Raj Nair, Malayalam literary giant Thakazhi Sivashankara Pillai's grandson, is all set to foray into film direction with Punyam Aham, with Prithviraj in the lead as Narayanan Unni. Samvrutha Sunil is the heroine. Based on a script by the director, Punyam Aham has started filming in December 2008.

The film is about how Kuttanad's paddy fields, once known as the granary of Kerala, have now been converted into tourist resorts and the backwaters are full of houseboats with tourists. "Based on the legend of Naranathu Bhranthan, Vararuchi and Panjami, the movie analyzes man"s escapism in the backdrop of globalization," Raj Nair said.

Produced by Raj Nair, Shyamaprasad and Janardhana Menon under the banner of Mirabilia Films, the film has music by Issac Thomas Kottukapalli. Others in the cast are Nedumudi Venu, K.P.A.C. Lalitha, Gpoakumar, Nishanth Sagar, and Urmila Unni. M.J. Radhakrishnan is the cinematographer. Beena Paul Venugopal handles editing.

Raj Nair's first film was a documentary titled Kazhchavasthukkal, based on the life of his grandmother Katha, depicting the realities of aging, past and current social issues and loneliness. Raj Nair, a doctorate in oral medicine, currently teaches at Brisbane University, Australia.